Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-07-07

OMAHA, NEB., July l.-beiOre the PacIhc
Railway Investigating Commission to-day Ed
ward Roseater, editor Of the Omaha Bee, tes-
tifed that it has been for years the practice of
the U. 5. Marshal Tor Nebraska and his depu-
ties TO travel on free passes over the Union Pa
cifc Railroad, and to charge the government
ten cents mile for miles so travelled. Com
missioner Littler asked the witness if he did
not know that the Marshal had to swear to his
account when rendered. that he had to swear
that no part of the trips charged for were made
by free pass. The witness did not know how
that was, but he knew the passes were used
He had himself seen Deputy U. S. Marshal
travelling on such a pass, from whom be learn
ed that the deputy had to share with the Mar
shal the travelling fees allowed by the govern
ment for just such trips.
The court officers generally in Nebraska, Mr..
Roseater added, have always shown great sub
servience to the railroad power He produced
copy of the election telegram alluded to in his
testimony given some days ago before the Com
mission. The telegram is from the General
Agency of the Union Pacific Company to its
General Manager and Assistant Manager, and
reads as follows:
"OxAHA October 49, 1878.
"To s. h H Clark or T. l. Kimball, Denver:
''T The vote of the shops viii probably decide the
election and it is said it viii go solid against Grebe
SnSTlu. be mas served rOdu DeIIef lllbu
Sheriff we ever had Can I you give this vote:
think you should, if possible. If you agree, in
struct proper parties TO give him the vote, and send
copy of your telegram. A. }. PoPPLEToS.
Comparatively few people realize the
magnitude of this evil, and the extent to
which public officers are debauched and
degraded by the railroads. In Ohio, leg
,islators, the Judiciary and all officers who
have anything whatever to do with fix
ing the value of railroad property for tax
alton, especially, are furnished free pass
es. AS result, the People are in meas
ure at the mercy of raj way corporations.
Take the Whitacre case, for example,
The plaintiff, travelling in two-horse
sled, was struck by train, near Barnes
vile, and crippled for life. Suit was
brought, and verdict against the rail
road company obtained. The Supreme
Court tall the judges with free passes in
their pockets) reversed and remanded the
case for another trial. Three times a
Belmont county jury, after full and fair
hearing, rendered yerdicts for the plain
tiff, and three times they were set aside
by the Supreme Court and then the old
man, broken III body and spirit, died. and
the long struggle was ended. His cause
was d good one, but he was battling with
a giant-a great octopus that reached
into every corner of the state, that had
its teutacles fixed upon the court of last
resort. and his struggle for justice was
futile
The Auditors of counties (who ap-
praise their property for taxation) and
the state officers who form the Board of
Equalization of their property, likewise
have free passes. This year an effort
was made to increase the valuation of
the Baltimore and Ohio, but the response
was 1T s no use TO put the valuation
than that fixed last year by
the Board of Equalization" Two of the
three members of that board had ridden |
from Columbus to Newark (the meeting |
point OF the appraisers iG special car
provided by the railroad officials. Why |
we're they brought down there? They
b I'd on business there, and no connection
with the appraisement. except to review
it when certified up to them.
Free passes over railroads for public |
officers are against public policy, and
their tendency is to degrade and debauch
the officer The People should insist
upon the abolition of the evil, and they
should cry out against it in such loud
voice that none of their agents will dare
disregard their demands.